The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025: Simplifying Standards in the UK

In a move to streamline the rules governing products and measurements, the UK government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025. This legislation aims to ensure that products sold in the UK market are safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly, while also standardising measurement practices across the country. Here's what you need to know about this sweeping new law.

Product Regulation: Keeping Safety and Efficiency in Check

The Act grants the Secretary of State the power to create regulations that address the marketing and use of products in the UK. These regulations are designed to:

• Reduce risks posed by products to health, safety, and property.
• Ensure products operate efficiently and effectively.
• Align with EU laws to mitigate environmental impacts.

Importantly, some products are excluded from these regulations, including food, plants, and certain aircraft components.

Product Requirements: Setting Standards

To bring consistency and safety, the Act outlines specific "product requirements" that must be met before products can be marketed or used in the UK. These include requirements related to:

• Production and installation processes.
• Product labeling and marketing, including online sales.
• Information sharing about product risks.

Manufacturers, marketers, and even those operating online marketplaces are subject to these standards.

Enforcement: Ensuring Compliance

The Act empowers authorities to monitor and enforce compliance with these regulations. This includes the ability to:

• Inspect premises and seize non-compliant products.
• Impose fines or other sanctions for breaches.
• Require product recalls or warnings to the public.

Metrology: Measuring Up

In addition to product safety, the Act addresses metrology—the science of measurement. It standardises the units of measurement used in the UK, ensuring consistency in how goods are marketed and sold. The pint remains untouched for draught beer, cider, and milk in returnable containers.

Information Sharing and Cost Recovery

To facilitate enforcement, the Act allows for the sharing of information between relevant authorities and others, such as emergency services. It also allows authorities to recover costs by imposing fees for carrying out their regulatory functions.

Implications for Existing Laws

The Act also amends previous legislation, such as parts of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and the Weights and Measures Act 1985, to align with its new provisions.

Final Notes

The Act extends across the UK and requires consultation with devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland before certain regulations are enacted. This ensures that regional considerations are taken into account.

In essence, the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 represents a comprehensive effort to regulate product safety and standardise measurements, fostering a safer and more predictable market environment in the UK.